When thinking about the most popular names in Wales Olivia, Ruby, Jack and Oliver top the list. But instead of concentrating on the most popular names in Wales, let us take a look at the most popular "Welsh" names in Wales. Quite obvious you might think, but with Wales' long historical struggle to hold on to its language, Welsh names have travelled a difficult and bumpy road. Let's take a look at which ones are currently standing strong.
I'll start off with the boys today.
Dylan - A mythical figure in the Mabinogian whose myth and name are associated with the sea, and was most likely an ancient Celtic god of the sea. The name was unused in Wales in the 18th and 19th centuries and is first found in rare use at the end of the Edwardian period. Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) brought the name into popular usage. In 2009 it was the 2nd most popular boys name in Wales.
Rhys - Currently ranks #7 in Wales in 2009. Rhys has been used consistently since the middle ages as a strong Welsh favourite.
Evan - Standard anglicised form of Ieuan via Iefan and Ifan. All are Welsh forms of Iohannes. This spelling has been popular in Wales for centuries, particularly in the 18th and 19th, and has given way to the surnames Evans and Bevan. In 2009 Evan ranked #16 in Wales.
Morgan - Morgan ap Athrwys was king of Morgannwg (Glamorgan), to which he gave his name, in the 8th century. The earlier form Morcant/Morgant was borne by a post-Roman early British king. As with Rhys and Evan, Morgan has had sustained usage in Wales for centuries both as a first name and a surname. It ranked #18 in 2009.
Owen - The well known Anglicised spelling of Owain which ranks at #32 in Wales. Owen has been used commonly used in Wales for centuries. This spelling became more popular in the 18th and 19th century with the general anglicisation and suppression of the Welsh language.
Cai - The Welsh form of Caius. Cai appears as one of King Arthur's knights in the tale of Culhwch and Olwen in the Mabinogion. Cai ranks at #33 and Kai at #69. The name has only been in use since the 1970s and became popular in the last two decades.
Osian - The Welsh version of the Irish Oisin, a great poet in Irish legend. It was used rarely from the 1880s onwards until it picked up favour in the 50s. It ranked at #40 in 2009 .
Gethin - Originally a descriptive nickname meaning "swarthy" that was used for Rhys Gethin, a strong lieutenant of Owain Glyndwr. It is found as a first name from the beginning of the 20th century onwards and currently ranks #48.
Ieuan - An old Welsh spelling of Iohannes which ranked #52 in 2009. It was long eclipsed by the anglicised spelling, Evan, until the resurgence of Welsh names at the end of the 19th century when it was revived. Welsh writers Evan Evans (1731-1788) and Evan Jones (1820-1852) used Ieuan as their bardic name.
Ioan - Another Welsh variant of Iohannes, most well known for being borne by actor Ioan Gruffudd. It ranked #53 in 2009.
Ellis - A common Welsh surname most likely derived from the Welsh name Elisedd, although the English surname comes from the name Elias. It ranked #63 in 2009.
Owain - The original Welsh spelling of Owen, Owain currently ranks at #66 in Wales. Owain Glyndwr (Owen Glendower) was a 14th century Welsh hero who founded Welsh parliament and led a revolt against the English. Owain ab Urien was a Welsh prince in the 6th century who became incorporated into Arthurian legend as a knight of the Round Table.
Iwan - Another form of Iohannes which ranked #73 in 2009.
Iestyn - Welsh form of Justin. Iestyn ap Gwrgant (c.1045 - 1093) was ruler of Morgannwg. The name was revived in the Edwardian era and currently ranks at #74 in Wales.
Sion - Welsh equivalent to the Irish Sean, and therefore a variant of Iohannes. Sion Cent was a 15th century poet. The name ranked at #84 in 2009.
Steffan - The Welsh form of Stephen. There was a British saint of this name who is commemorated at Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire.In 2009 it ranked #96.
Lloyd - Like Rhys, Evan, Morgan and Owen, Lloyd maintained its popular usage in Wales even through the suppression of the Welsh language in the 18th and 19th centuries. It currently ranks at #97.
The top 100 also features Welsh spellings of common names such as Tomos, Jac and Harri.
'Twas Ever Thus...
Here is an example from 1893 of the Victorian debate on whether a short name or multiple appellations was preferable.
SOME one observed not very long ago that it would be most desirable if parents would give short names to those of their children who are destined for commercial pursuits. The multiplication of Christian names might be aristocratic, but it was held to be extremely inconvenient for the despatch of business. Such a name as Jay Gould, for instance, might, we presume, be regarded as typically suited for the hurry of commerce and the making of money. It is, however, when we come to Royal families that we find the practice of multiplying names in its most cumbrous form. An investigation has just shown that the system is carried further in the less important of the Royal families of Europe, and to the greatest extent of all in the off shoots of these minor branches. Thus, while the young King of Spain is Alphonse Leon Ferdinand Marie Jacques Isidore Pascal Antoine, the eldest daughter of Don Carlos, who is married to the Austrian Archduke Leopold, rejoices in the possession of such a list as Blanche de Castille Marie de la Conception Therese Francois d'Assise Marguerite Jeanne Beatrice Charlotte Louise Fernande Aldegonde Elvire Ildephonse Regine Josephe Michelle Gabrielle Raphaelle. A child must be well into the years of understanding before it completely masters a name of that kind.
The Yorkshire Herald, and The York Herald
(York), Wednesday, January 04, 1893
Posted at 04:05 PM in Historical Name Commentary, Royal Names | Permalink | Comments (2)
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